What Car: $5k Appliance Edition

A friend needs a car, and has about $5000. He's got a '99ish Taurus wagon that's got a coolant leak in the intake manifold. It's served its time, and now that he's gainfully employed rather than a lifetime student (masters degrees in physics and math), he's ready for a vehicle that can...

...take him to the train station every day for his commute. It's, like, a 4 mile drive. Plus the occasional road trip.

Here's the specs:

Ben said: My priorities are 1) Probably gas mileage 2) relatively easy to work on. It's a half hour job on my current car just to change the plugs because they're in such a E36 M3ty spot That's pretty much it. I've never been in a car that I had a problem being comfortable in (I mean, I won't get a miata, because I have to at least FIT in the thing). The station wagon thing is kind of nice, but I honestly hardly ever use it. I wouldn't rank it as a priority just because of that. Maybe if I were still in college and moving every year, but that's not the case at this point in my life. As far as looks, I don't want it to be rusted out, and it would be nice if it were all the same color without dents, but that isn't really a priority. I'm more concerned about something that will run well. And while the Taurus has been kind of a pain in the ass, it was only $500 and made it to 210K with out any serious problems. It has won my grudging respect from fords.

Thoughts? I'm thinkin Honda Civics and any Hyundai/Kia from approximately 7 to 10 years ago, but there are so many appliances out there that I haven't worked on. What's the GRM braintrust suggest? He can drive stick, but I don't think he cares much either way.

Toyota Matrix, maybe? Lots of flavors available, pretty cheap now, and Toyota easy. Timing chain design is a huge plus if he just wants to put miles on it without a major investment.

Focus, Geo Prizm, Civic, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent

I think there's a picture of a Saturn in the dictionary under "driving appliance". They get decent gas mileage, are mechanically sound and the rubbermaid body panels don't rust and soak up parking lot "whoops" moments like a champ. For 5k I'm sure you could get a really nice ecotec powered one in whatever body style he likes.

Oh, Matrix. I know a friend who had an XRS. Cool. I'll add that to the list.

I have a buddy with a Focus, and have heard in the past that any work under that hood is a huge pain in the ass. Something about how replacing the alternator may require pulling an axle. It's pretty cramped in that engine bay.

Geo Prizm? What is this, 2003? He has more than $800 to spend.

Camry because higher than bachelor's physics and math degrees are boring.

Protege5 if he wants something thrifty with better-than-average handling and some utility (I know he said wagons weren't a must).

If he's tired of econoboxes I'd also look at Accords, Camrys, and possibly Altimas. Plenty to choose from. Not sure what it's like to work on Altimas or any V6 models though. I generally don't like working on FWD transverse V6 setups.

My personal choice would be a 98-02 Accord 4cyl manual. They're not bad looking cars and handle pretty well for their size.

Thanks for all the input. I forgot about those Accords. Those cars look great.

My first thought was CRX HF but those are the hypermilers' darling so prices might be high. An old Civic would be good too, or an older Swift/Metro.

I'd have to second the Accord coupe. If you want to get fancy, can probably find a 2.3L CL.

If he wants another wagon, I just bought my '01 Saab 9-5 wagon for under $3k...in beautiful condition. $5k should buy a real nice one.

I think the sedans can be attractive as well, but require a bit more "massaging" to do so.

I like the 2.3CL idea too, as those could be found in manual as well. My best bud had the first gen 3.0CL, but the auto crapped out on him. I'm not really sure how much I trust 10+ yr old Honda automatics. Seems to be a problem with Oddys as well.

ford five hundred/08-09 taurus.....he is used to a taurus wagon(I'm assuming an OHV one), so the s80 platform 500/taurus would be the next logical step.....and 500's are getting cheap.

Also, If my commute was only 4 miles, why would I give a berkeley about gas milage.....

I would agree with the 500 or a manual honda accord. I would also say that he should stick to manual trans cars (not available on the 500) because they generally are less like to release all their magic smoke and quit working. The stick can be properly diagnosed in a good test drive and should be easy to keep going. If maintenance is his only concern, then go FWD 4 cyl with a stick. Anything above that has that is good to go. Perhaps a Mazda6 4 cyl with manual.

Toyota Echo? The matrix comment made me think about it, my neighbors bought a matrix and echo at the same time, and did nothing but change the oil occasionally, and the echo is still alive, but the matrix died years ago (ran out of oil and seized the engine). I don't mean to say the matrix is a bad car, more just that echos seem really tough. I drove it once and it is really boring though.

Focus. Fun to drive (as any econobox), and parts are at any parts store and are cheap.

masters degrees in physics and math? He should be smart enough to figure this one out!!!

1st Gen Solara??? Camry easy with a little flair....

Alan Cesar wrote: I have a buddy with a Focus, and have heard in the past that any work under that hood is a huge pain in the ass. Something about how replacing the alternator may require pulling an axle. It's pretty cramped in that engine bay.

Replace the alternator in a Zetec engine Focus = 2 people + 20 minutes. Done it numerous times. Just don't try to do it the way the Service Manual shows or it will take you an hour.

You could get a really, really nice 98+ Corolla/Prizm for that money.

I'd say stay away from 01-05 Civics and look at the 96-2000. Accords 98+. Focus. A Toyota if he truly feels his life is that unexciting and boring.

4 miles? That is not enough for me to pay insurance on. I would get a sweet, completely impractical British car with a $100 classic car policy and use one of the following, reliable means to get to work.

I'll say it because it hasn't been said in a thread in a while, 1st gen MX6 GT. Good mileage, strong as an ox, there's only one cam and they're RETARDED simple to work on. Plus, F2T.

MX6 GT.

Alan Cesar wrote: Oh, Matrix. I know a friend who had an XRS. Cool. I'll add that to the list.

Throw the Pontiac Vibe GT on the list, too, then. Same car, different name, and possibly less expensive without the Toyota badge.

If not for the fuel mileage requirement, I'd throw a P71 on the list. I get 20mpg whether I drive like grandpa or a complete idiot. It ticks all the other boxes. A big reason why I got one is it seemed the cheapest way to get into a fairly new car. It's cheap to own and maintain, and that offsets what I spend on gas a bit. My usual commute (at least to the commuter rail station) is about to go down to a mile or two, so I plan to start bicycling to the train whenever I can. On days when I can't, I still don't use that much gas.

To all the people who suggested camry or solara, i just wanted to point out that you COULD get a 3.0/5spd, and then after the engine blew up... lawl the end.